Starting as a modest boutique, Balenciaga evolved to transform the landscape of women’s fashion with shapes and contours during the middle of the 20th century that were nothing less than groundbreaking. Today, the brand is as venturesome as ever and is well known for its shoes, handbags, sneakers, streetwear and other clothing and accessories.
Though he was born in the quiet fishing village of Getaria in Spain’s Basque region, Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895–1972) was destined to reshape modern fashion. As a child, he worked alongside his seamstress mother. Showing immense talent, he earned commissions as a teenager from local patron Marquesa de Casa Torres, who paid for his tailoring education in Madrid. In 1917, he established his first haute couture house — named Eisa, for his mother — in the trendy resort town San Sebastián. He soon followed it with boutiques in Madrid and Barcelona, drawing such clientele as the Spanish royal family.
When the Spanish Civil War put a hold on his prospects in Spain, the designer moved to Paris, opening a house on Avenue Georges V in 1937. There, Balenciaga rubbed elbows with fashion greats like Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli and quickly won over clients like Gloria Guinness, Pauline de Rothschild and Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor.
As a couturier, Balenciaga drew from his Spanish heritage for ideas, riffing on everything from matador costumes and flamenco dresses to the paintings of Diego Velázquez, whose portraits of Spanish princesses famously inspired Balenciaga’s Infanta gown.
An expert tailor, he experimented with sculptural silhouettes that didn’t follow the body. Some of his notable designs include the 1953 balloon jacket, and from 1957, the cocoon coat, the baby-doll dress and the sack dress, which he popularized with his good friend designer Hubert de Givenchy. All of these could be considered not just the masterpieces of haute couture, but also objets d’art in their own right, leading to Balenciaga’s nickname, “The Master.”
Balenciaga continued designing until 1968, when he retired after three decades of influential work and his fashion house went dormant. The rights to Balenciaga were acquired by Jacques Bogart S.A. in 1986. Under designer Michel Goma, who focused on ready-to-wear, the brand experienced a resurgence, with his first collection introduced in 1987.
The brand returned to high fashion with the arrival of designer Josephus Thimister in 1992. It has since been led by a series of creative directors who have paid homage to Balenciaga’s iconic designs, including Nicolas Ghesquière, Alexander Wang and, most recently, Demna Gvasalia. In 2011, a museum celebrating Balenciaga’s legacy opened in his hometown in Spain, commemorating where it all began.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Balenciaga crossbody bags, tote bags, day dresses, shirts and more.
Vintage Balenciaga Heart Motif Hair Decoration 1980s
By Balenciaga
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A sculptural vintage Balenciaga hair accessory dating to the 1980s, defined by its bold heart motif and architectural presence. Balenciaga’s jewellery...
$2,912
W 3.35 in D 0.79 in L 5.12 in
Andre Schwob, Retro Gilded Metal and Sapphires Minaudiere, Boucheron Model, 1935
Located in Paris, FR
Express Shipping insured during the Lockdown Beautiful and Rare Andre Schwob Retro Minaudière, Circa 1935. The Model was created by Schwob for Boucheron....
Blue Sapphire, Gilt Metal
Sold|$2,150
Lone Mountain Turquoise Buckle by Kee Yazzie
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Hollow Form Sterling Silver Western Belt Buckle with Overlaid Petroglyph Designs and set with Natural Lone Mountain Turquoise from Nevada. This buc...
Sterling Silver
$534Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.17 in W 0.99 in D 0.67 in
EXQUISITE 1881 HALLMARKED STERLING SiLVER SAMPSON MORDAN VICTORIAN SCENT BOTTLE
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, super collectable solid Sterling Silver full hallmarked scent bottle with the original period...
Sterling Silver
$432Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.63 in W 8.08 in D 0.99 in
Rare 1923 Harrods London Sterling Silver Vanity Manicure Nail Kit Set Suite
By Harrods
Located in GB
Wimbledon Furniture We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Harrods London 1923 fully hallmarked Sterling Silver manicure set A...
Sterling Silver
Fine Art Vessel Carved with Relief from Master Engraver Amayak Stepanyan
Located in Boulder, CO
Vessel Color: Deep Blue Size: Diameter 1-3/8" X 2-1/8"" Tall This beautiful vessel bears a classical Sterling Silver acanthus leaf medallion inset into its cap. Designed and carved in relief by master engraver Amayak Stepanyan, its low dome is crowned with a 6 mm diameter natural Hematite gemstone set in one of our signature Sterling Silver bezels. The vessel also features a Rose Engine...
Hematite, Sterling Silver
$14,037
W 3.15 in L 5.56 in
Gustave-Roger Sandoz, Rare Art Deco Silver and Enamel Cigarette Case, circa 1925
Located in Paris, FR
Express Shipping still available during Lockdown Gustave-Roger Sandoz Cigarette Case, Circa 1925 Silver with Enamel geometric decoration on both sides. The clasp set with a cabochon...
Onyx, Silver
$985
H 1.75 in W 1.57 in
Sterling Silver and Multi-Gemstone Inlay Zuni 4-Piece Ranger Buckle Set, 1992
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Channel Inlay Ranger Buckle Set with Two Keepers and a Belt Tip by Zuni Pueblo silversmith Zora Joe. Inlaid with Turquoise, Spiny Oyster Shell, Jet, and...
Multi-gemstone, Turquoise, Other, Sterling Silver
The Pepperpot Coin Purse – Handmade Wild Tamarind Seedwork
Located in Oxford, MD
Explore the Botaniqué Studios' "Flora, Fauna & Nationality" collection, an ode to the multifaceted natural habitat of Antigua and Barbuda and our nat...
Santa Maria Belt, Wild Tamarind Seed and Jumbie Bead Caribbean Handicraft
Located in Oxford, MD
Botaniqué allows the consumer to explore and celebrate African history, albeit under the jurisdiction of the diaspora. The painstaking process of creating these crafts represents the...
Jabberwack Belt, Wild Tamarind Seed and Jumbie Bead Seed Handicraft
Located in Oxford, MD
Today, seed work is threatened as a dying art. Only five women on the island of Antigua are master seed workers. To save this art form before it vanishes forever, your purchase will aid in this preservation effort. The masterful handicraft of wild tamarind and jumbie bead seedwork is a dying art, with only five women left in the world to create it. Botanique Studios...
Esther Belt, Authentic Wild Tamarind Seed Bracelet
Located in Oxford, MD
Capturing the mixture of tradition and vibrancy, the Esther Belt is a part of our “Artisan Collection,” lovingly named after one of our Master Seedwork Artisans, Esther Edwards. This unique and handmade bracelet is created with wild tamarind seeds dyed black, uniquely and innovatively dyed with shoe dye, and perfectly placed within this signature design. This pattern is a classic creation for the master seedwork artisans and for the overall island as a typical pattern possessed by Antiguan & Barbudan locales, with a twist to be created distinctively for you. This piece presented is only a snapshot of the broad range of custom-made products produced by the hands of master artisan Antiguan and Barbudan women who specialize in seedwork—created out of the wild tamarind and jumbie bead Seeds. Only five women were on the island of Antigua as master seed workers. To save this art form before it vanished forever, an educational program was developed to preserve the tradition of seed work, with full scholarships for young candidates. Botaniqué Studios...
Exquisite Victorian English Gold and Scottish Agate Perfume Bottle, Circa 1870
Located in Long Island City, NY
Exquisite Victorian English Gold and Scottish Agate Perfume Bottle, Circa 1870 Presenting a truly exceptional Victorian gold perfume bottle, crafted in England around 1870, and showcasing the distinctive "Scottish pebble" design. This exquisite piece is a masterpiece of Victorian artistry, blending luxurious materials with impeccable craftsmanship. The perfume bottle is elegantly tapered and cylindrical in form, adorned with a stunning array of alternating lozenge, diagonal, and wavy band panels, meticulously inlaid with a rich selection of hardstones, including jasper, agate, and bloodstone. The intricate patterning of these precious stones creates a captivating visual display, embodying the refined taste of the Victorian era. A touch of opulence is added by the hinged lid, crowned with a striking bloodstone, and the delicate pearl push-button release, which adds a subtle, yet luxurious detail. This beautiful piece is further complemented by its original fitted box, a rare find that enhances its historical value and desirability. This Victorian perfume bottle...
Agate, Jasper, Gold